Great Dane

Great Dane Breed Information

Learn all about Great Dane dogs, read about the Great Dane breed information, find out about the Great Dane Breed Standard, Great Dane behavior and more.

Great Dane Breed Introduction

The Great Dane breed is as lovable as it is big. Despite their great size and their original purpose of hunting large boar, Great Danes are quiet and delicate, and have been called “Gentle Giant.” The Great Dane dog breed is a hunting breed developed in–no, not Denmark–Germany. The breed’s name is one of dogdom’s enduring mysteries. In French and German, the breed is simply called “German mastiff.”

The Great Dane’s Behavior

Source: Wikipedia.

Recommended for: pet

The Great Dane breed is widely considered protective and loyal, gentle and delicate without being timid. Great Danes are thought generally easy to train and not requiring great maintenance. The Great Dane dog breed is a hunting breed and as such needs plenty of outdoor time and physical activity.

Remember that breed only provides a general clue as to any individual dog’s actual behavior. Make sure to get to know dogs well before bringing them into your home.

The Great Dane’s Physical Characteristics

Here are the characteristics of the Great Dane breed as determined by the American Kennel Club’s published breed standard.

• Size: Males 30+ inches; females 28+ inches
• Coat: short, thick, smooth, glossy
• Color: brindle, fawn, blue, black, harlequin, mantle
• Eyes: medium-sized, deep-set, dark.
• Ears: high-set, medium-sized, moderately thick, folded forward
• Skull: rectangular, long
• Muzzle: long, not pointed
• Nose: black, except in the blue Danes, which have dark blue-black noses

The Great Dane’s Origins and History

Source: Wikipedia.

Country/Region of Origin: Germany

Original purpose: hunting boar

Name: The “Dane” name’s origin is unclear. It is almost certain the breed did not originate in Denmark. In German and French, the breed is called “German mastiff.” Nicknamed, “Gentle Giant,” “Apollo of Dogs.”

Historical notes: In North America, the Great Dane has had two famous cartoon incarnations: the characters Scooby Doo by Hanna-Barbera and Marmaduke by Brad Anderson.